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Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Michael Sullivan talks to media after a debate sponsored by WBZ-TV and The Boston Globe on April 10, 2013 in Boston. Whoever attracts the most votes will face the winner of the Democratic primary pitting Congressmen Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch against each other. (AP Photo/The Boston Globe, Barry Chin, Pool)

On the law enforcement side, Plymouth County Sheriff Joe McDonald, Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins and Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson all threw their support behind Sullivan, a former district attorney.

"We need to send people to Washington who have experience in many different areas. Mike has been successful in the private sector, where he worked his way up in the Gillette Company, as well as in the public sector as a district attorney and a U.S. Attorney," Cousins said in a statement. "Mike understands both how the laws work and the impact that they have. We need more people like Mike in Washington."

Sullivan is considered the most conservative candidate compared to GOP Senate hopefuls Gabriel Gomez and state Rep. Daniel Winslow. He is a pro-life Republican who opposes gay marriage and those stances may have helped land him support from traditionally conservative Republicans in Massachusetts.

"We're proud to endorse Mike Sullivan for the U.S. Senate," said East Longmeadow resident Ron Gaudreau in a statement. Gaudreau, the president of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly's 1st Congressional District chapter, cited Sullivan's work as a prosecutor as well as his position as interim ATF director from 2006-09 as reasons for the support.

"Sullivan maintained an uncompromising adherence to the rule of law," Gaudreau said. "Our members believe that Mike will stand by his convictions on the right to life of the unborn, and he will help us preserve the institution of marriage."

Winslow is the only Republican candidate who supports abortion rights and Gomez, who says he is pro-life, has also said that he would not work to rescind the right to terminate a pregnancy. Both Winslow and Gomez are supportive of marriage equality for gays and lesbians, however.

West Springfield resident and state committeeman Mark Bergeron also endorsed Sullivan, citing his personal friendship with the candidate.

"Mike has a proven track record of hard work and accomplishment in both the public and private sectors," Bergeron said. "He has compassion and an unconditional love for this State and its citizens. Michael Sullivan is a man of honesty, integrity and courage to help lead us through these perilous times."

A recent poll conducted by the Western New England University Polling Institute for The Republican/MassLive.com and CBS-3 Springfield concluded that while Democratic U.S. Rep. Markey is leading over his primary competitor U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch by a 10-point margin, Gomez has a slight lead over GOP Senate hopeful Michael Sullivan. Both Republicans were holding a significant lead over Republican state Rep. Daniel Winslow, according to the poll.

The primary election is scheduled for April 30 with the general election coming on June 25.